Wrapping up the year’s last UFC main card in Tampa, Florida, was an eagerly awaited bantamweight face-off featuring Adrian Yanez and the unvanquished Daniel Marcos. Rising up the ranks after a unanimous verdict in his favor against Brandon Lewis on Dana White’s Contender Series 2022, Marcos secured his UFC contract and set the stage for his promotional premier at UFC 283. The newly minted UFC fighter wasted no time making a name for himself, stopping Saimon Oliveira with a flurry of well-placed strikes earned him a solid win in the second round.
Achieving an impressive 2-0 record in the UFC, Marcos added another victory under his belt by defeating Davey Grant. However, his next match against Aoriqileng resulted in an unforeseen No Contest due to an accidental groin strike. But the determined Marcos bounced back by beating John Castañeda in June, thereby paving his way to a grand showdown with Yanez at the UFC’s final event of the year held in Tampa.
On the opposite side of the Octagon was the rapidly trending prospect in the bantamweight division, Adrian Yanez. Regrettably, after tasting defeat in consecutive matches against Rob Font and Jonathan Martinez, Yanez’s rise was temporarily halted. Yet, he was able to bounce back with an assertive first-round finish against Vinicius Salvador, giving him a much-needed boost. However, at 31 years old, he was still regarded as the underdog in his face-off against the undefeated Marcos.
The battle began with a powerful strike from Marcos just minutes into round one, which seemed to sway Yanez. However, the momentum of the clash was abruptly disrupted due to a coincidental eye poke and groin strike, leading to a brief hiatus in the brawl. Once the dust settled, both combatants unleashed heavy blows, culminating in a closed-quarters clinch against the cage to end an intense first round.
Yanez started off the second round on a high note, catching Marcos off guard with a solid left hand. The ensuing events saw both fighters trading wild swings and showcasing an exciting display of their striking prowess. As the action escalated into the third round, the scenario quickly shifted as Marcos opted to leverage his grappling skills, leading to some intense scrambles.
Marcos’ strategic shift paid off, aiding him procuring a split decision triumph after a hard-fought grappling exchange. Tracing back to the beginning of UFC Tampa, a series of four uninterrupted decisions marked the event before three knockouts concluded the preliminaries. Ahead of Marcos’ shining achievement, the main card of the event likewise witnessed another undefeated warrior celebrate success.
Najavo Stirling, maintaining his unblemished record, marked a significant win against Tuco Tokkos in a thrilling light heavyweight bout. That victory further amplified the intensity in the arena, setting the stage for the thrilling bantamweight clash between Yanez and Marcos.
Reflecting upon these battles, the final UFC main card in Tampa ended on a high note with gripping performances, thrilling knockouts, and a healthy display of sportsmanship. This event was particularly notable for the victories of undefeated fighters such as Daniel Marcos and Najavo Stirling.